Sacramento daily record-union., 1887-08-06
d. TIBBETTy WIRE.
A VICKSBURG DANCE THAT HAD
4 SUDDEN. ENDING.
A Telegraph Operators Remin-
iscence Of the Siege Of Vicksburg
Union Gunboats-

RenSTA ". l.. Smith, commanding al
VieksbuTg, where, in few days, up to oul
eyes in kilograms destined for President
Davis and Others in authority. with thou
sands of other kilograms for Vicksburg, VIZ
discovered that to be a Generals wa,
operator was no child's play, and that t.
De With ones command would be far NOR,
preferable.
a grand cid telegrapher 1lee s. Daniel)
now Master of Transportation of the
Macaroni Railroad, running from Rosen.
berg to Victoria, was then manager of the
Sicksburg Office, and finer or more rapid
telegrapher never handled key or welded
pen; an6 he, / know, can never forget
those busy and exciting days. l never
think of my old partner except with the
feelings Of { brother. His dear old form
and face, as he appeared in those days, will
ever be before me. He was Samson in
the lost cause.
Before tie war 4 private citizen. DIR.
Horace Tibbetts, living at Transatlantic
Landing, OF the Mississippi river, caused
70 be established telegraph line from
Yicksburg TO Lake Providence. This line
he built for his own private use, in order
that he might have the news of the day
teiegraphec him when spending while
on his plantations each year, as was the
custom Of large planters
his little line proved 20 be godsend
TO the Ccnfederates at Yicksburg, for as
soon as the news of the downfall OF Mem
Phis was received, Lee Daniel was ordered
to lransylyania to take charge of said
Tire, keeping q strict lookout for anv Fed
eral boats coming down the river, as the
tederals would no doubt make an attack
on Ficksbl--g. The writer was ordered
across the r1yer opposite Nicksburg, with
instructions not to be absent from his post
more than one hour at time. All bat
teries AZ Ficksourg were ordered to respect
my red light at night and green flag bv
dag when crossing the river in skiff
which usec for the purpose of sending
for supplies and forwarding any news 70
the General commanding
One dars stormy night Il shall never
forget it had met several OF the soldier
boys from Houston-ny old schoolmates,
naost of thenl-many long since dead, but
| hope not forgotten, and naturally we en-
Joyed ourselves, causing the writer to over
on board :. considerable amount of Louisi
ana rum, the only drink obtainabe in
ficksburg, al idea took possession of me
that it was very important | should be at
my post a; once, as something might occur,
which, shoEid it occur without my knowl.
edge, would render desertion of the Con-
fcderacy necessary on my part.
The wind vas blowing hurricane, and
the waves Of the old Mississippi were fear
ful 70 gaze upon. / feared my frail craft
would hardly live in such sea, but know
ing it to be all my own fault that had
been caught IN such storm on the wrong
side of the river, determined me to cross at
all hazards. after superbuman efforts
reached the Louisiana shore in safety.
Hastily seeming my boat, with choking
sensation at my throat, for excitement at
neglect OF my duty had rendered me al
most paralytic, l rushed into the office,
and, as telegraphers say, cut in Instan-
taneously heard my old chum (Daniell
calling "v," "v," with the energy of de-
spsir. | answered, "i, i, ""
His first words were, Great God, F.,
sixty-nine transports and gunboats have
passed since dark, and as far as the eye can
reach up the river they are still coming.
>.ush across and give the alarm. l leave
here, for this line will be destroyed and Of
no more service"
The storm had not abated, but without
a thought Of danger hurried across to
Vicksburg- A great ball was in progress.
ut which the General and his staff, as we'll
rs all the beauty and chivalry of the city
and surrounding country. were present.
The great house was surging mass of
dancers and promenaders Singing out
the General, I walked up to him respect
fully, salutlng himself and lady partner
| will never forget his scowl at me, for /
was thoroughly drenched and mud from
hoad to foot, nor will ever forget the
curious and wondering look given me by
the ladies, with whom l was one of the ia
vorite bes.ux myself, being dandy and
masher 70 my highest capacity. I cannot
imagine what they thought of my appear
ance. | E,1n't time TO feel ashamed of
my condition, or at my tramp-like outfit,
IN that magnificent throng.
As | stepped up close to the General, he
exclaimed, Well, SIR in loud and
threatening manner. | merely handed
him piece Of paper, upon which l had
hastily written the number of boats that
had passed, etc.
He glanced at it at first deliberately, but
in a seconc ne drew it close to his ewes.
His face p,.led, his brow contracted, and he
exclaimed: Where did you get this in
formation, sr..S' My only reply was: 81
WAS stationed across the river, opposite
this city, II charge of the telegraph, hy
your order
The great crowd had pressed around us
as his remarks - me were in very high
kew. He exclaimed "Well done, sir,
thank you" and turning to the crowd ex-
claimed: "AH officers Of the army will
hurry to their respective camps AZ once
The enemy are within few miles of us
snd may land by morning All families
wishing 20 leave the city will be furnished
transportation by rail- In five minutes
that ball was Z thing of the past.
10 say there was too much business for
the wires that night is only superhuous,
only those asking rgreinforcements from every
part of the C0nfederacy were transmitted
The first telegram was TO President Davis
apprising him Of the situation.
Everyone then living at Vicksburg re-
members or big fight at Chicasaw Bayou
a day or two afterwards, where the
enemy lsaifuec. ana Wnero tney were SO
terribly defeated, causing them to retreat
sp the rivez, not troubling Vicksburg to
any extent for many long day. They
amused themselves occasionally by send
ing or attempting to send gnnboat past
our batteries, IN which pastime they often
met with ignominious failure. Right
here let me remark, that little telegraph
line across the river closed for repairs, as
the Feds finding it and knowing that it
had appriseo the Confeds of their visit,
never allowed 40 inch of wire or a foot of
pole OF the whole seventy-five miles of
line TO remain in existence. | verify be-
fieve they must have eaten it in their
blind rage. hope they digested it we'll
I" VaL, iongan vale my little telegraph
line You did your duty nobly before you
were annihilated by the invaders, and
will cherish Tour memory as long as life
shall last salrsstoR NeUs.
E.<----G---@-.x-z-----
THE FkER PLANTER OF LOUISIANA
At recent meeting of the Louisiana Su-
gar Planters Association, Mrs. Amanda
belrnas, Of St. Mary's Parish, was duly
III Al, II. IL